Ask The Rabbi...
September 11, 1994 Issue #34
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Dedicated in the memory of Aaron A. Seruya Z''L of Gibraltar
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This edition contains:
1. Glow in the dark toys and Shabbat.
2. Pregnancy and Yom Kippur.
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Steven Edell from Jerusalem wrote:
>Dear Rabbi,
>
>My daughters recently received a "glow in the dark toy," i.e.: a
>fluorescent toy. I was wondering why it would be permitted to put the toy
>near a light on Shabbat to "charge" it, as you are actually moving around
>electrons, causing them to `fluoresce' -- basically the same thing that is
>done with electricity?
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Dear Steven,
The subject of using `electricity' on Shabbat is very complex. I'll try to
answer your question despite the space limitations of this column. The
Halachic authorities prohibit turning-on an electric light or completing an
electrical circuit on Shabbat for various reasons: Havara (burning) and/or
Binyan (building) and/or Bishul (cooking). These are 3 of the "39
Melachot", `work' activities, that are prohibited on Shabbat.
Another interesting reason is mentioned: Molid -- lit. `giving birth' to a
`new product' on Shabbat. Obviously, this doesn't forbid a mother to give
birth on Shabbat! Molid is quite a novel idea [as its name implies ;-) ].
I asked Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg about using a glow in the dark toy on
Shabbat, and he answered that it is permitted, since there is no violation
of any category of Melacha on Shabbat.
"Moving around electrons" is not prohibited unless it involves a
transgression of Shabbat, as in the case of an electrical circuit. An act
is prohibited on Shabbat only if it violates one of the 39 Melachot, their
derivatives, or special Rabbinical prohibitions. If it doesn't, as in your
case, then it is certainly permitted.
Source:
Shabbat and Electricity - Halperin/Oratz, Feldheim Publishers, 1993.
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We received several different versions of the following question from Ask
The Rabbi subscribers from around the globe:
>With Yom Kippur just around the corner, I have a very practical question.
>Does a pregnant woman need to fast on Yom Kippur?
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Dear All,
A healthy, pregnant woman should fast on Yom Kippur, just as she would on
the 9th of Av and the other public fasts. Whereas, in general, physical
weakness exempts a pregnant woman from the other public fasts, it does not
exempt them on Yom Kippur.
However, a pregnant woman who is not well, either before or after the onset
of Yom Kippur, is permitted to eat if there is any danger to life that may
result from this illness or any complications that my result from the
illness. This may be determined by the woman consulting with her
physician. In fact, the woman's own feeling and determination of her "need
to eat" is usually the most important factor.
Maintaining good health when under "stressful" circumstances is also a
consideration. There is a well known story about Rabbi Yisrael Salanter
beseeching his community to eat on Yom Kippur during a cholera epidemic, so
that the population's resistance to the disease should not be lowered.
This is only a sketchy guideline. Please consult your doctor and YLOR
(Your Local Orthodox Rabbi) for a decision in your personal case (or make a
voice connection with a NSLOR -- Not-So Local Orthodox Rabbi -- if an LOR is
not available).
Source:
Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) - Orach Chayim 617, 618, 550,554.
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